Recruitment specialists only spend a few minutes, or even seconds, reading a CV. That said, a CV that is too long can cause you to lose very valuable points. This is why it is important to remove elements that do not add value to your application.
We constantly hear about what to emphasize on a resume, but we rarely talk about what to avoid. CNBC Make it got the opinion of Peter Yang, recruitment expert and CEO of Resume Writing Servicesparent company of ResumeGo. This agency supports young talents in the search for their first job and helps them perfect their applications.
His long experience on the subject allows him to know precisely what should or should not be done on a CV. “In As a CEO of a resume writing service, I have read over a thousand resumes till today. The least we can say is that I saw a large number of points that are not relevant. These are mainly elements that can harm your chances of getting an interview. If you want to write a CV that reflects your desire to be recruited, then every word, number, line and achievement must be carefully crafted. »
Writing your CV: Avoid irrelevant interests unrelated to the offer
We all have different passions that make us unique. However, mentioning them on a CV is not very relevant. Peter Yang explains: “ Recruitment specialists don’t care how you spend your free time, at least not immediately. They are constrained by time and have deadlines to meet. They also have big stacks of resumes to review. It is for this reason that they only focus on finding candidates who meet the job requirements. »
If, however, your hobby is closely related to the position in question, we advise you to put it on. For example, if you are applying in the field of finance and you have a passion for cryptocurrency, this could be considered a considerable asset.
The fallacy of general skills unrelated to the job
It is always interesting to highlight general skills, but not to the detriment of technical skills. Recruiters are aware that this is a common technique that candidates follow to impress them and to appear more interesting.
Peter Yang points out: “I generally recommend having more technical skills than soft skills. When it comes to the soft skills you include, make sure they are justified and not just stated. »
Instead of just saying that you are proficient in project management, it is better to include more concrete details: “ I led several projects from start to finish, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue.”
Above all, you should not hesitate to include numerical data so that the recruiter can imagine the added value that you are likely to bring within the company. “85% of recruiters think it’s a good idea to list numbers and results to illustrate your professional achievements. » It is by supporting your words with figures that you will gain valuable points against the competition, attract the attention of your recruiter and demonstrate the extent of your achievements and your skills.
A professional photo
It’s best not to include a photo on your resume unless you’re applying to be the next star in a Hollywood movie.
Peter Yang does not hesitate to point out: “There are potential downsides to putting your photo up. To begin with, some managers and recruiters told me that they found it “unprofessional” or even a little “in poor taste”. It can also give rise to unconscious bias. Whether it’s the way you dress, your gender, your origins or simply your appearance, all of these elements can potentially influence a recruiter’s decision-making, even if it’s unintentional. »
It is your skills, your experiences and not your appearance that should be used to evaluate your application and be decisive when making the final choice.
Short professional experience or one dating back more than 10 years
If you have worked for very short periods in a company, it is wiser not to mention these experiences. Only mention an internship or short-term job if it corresponds to the job offer and is likely to have real added value. What interests a recruiter above all is mainly your recent experiences and the way in which these will serve you in the position in question.
What about Peter Yang’s opinion? He specifies : “Unless you are a recent graduate or an executive with decades of experience, you should include no more than four or five positions that are less than 10 to 15 years old. The older the position (unless it was held at a large, well-known company or is closely related to the job you are seeking), the less interest hiring managers will have in it. »
Rather than detailing outdated professional experience, use the valuable space on your CV to expand on the details of your most recent and rewarding achievements. You must keep in mind that a CV is a tool to sell and promote yourself and not a detailed account of your life. So don’t feel like you have to detail everything.
Personal social networks should be banned from your CV
Not putting a link to your LinkedIn profile is a serious mistake according to 96% of recruiters. However, your profile must be up to date and completed professionally. Be careful to fill your profile with elements that correspond to your CV.
However, it is not recommended to link to your personal Facebook profile or other networks that you only use to communicate with your friends. A link to your Twitter profile may be relevant if you use it to share professional information.
